By Samuel Oyadongha

YENAGOA — St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, has emerged overall winner of the 2026 STEM Quiz and Innovative Challenge Finals, successfully defending its title at the keenly contested competition held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The event, organised by the Young Engineers Forum of Nigeria (YEFON), Yenagoa Chapter, in collaboration with the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Bayelsa State Chapter, took place at the NSE/COREN Secretariat.

St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School topped the competition with 134 points, ahead of Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, which scored 128 points. Community Secondary School, Etegwe, finished third with 121 points, while Government Technical Secondary School, Swali, placed fourth with 120 points. Faith Comprehensive School, Yenagoa, came fifth with 110 points.

The competition featured two segments: the Innovative Challenge, where students presented practical STEM-based solutions to real-world problems, and the STEM Quiz, which tested participants’ knowledge of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

By retaining the title for the second consecutive year, St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School received special commendation for its outstanding performance across both categories.

Chairman of APWEN Bayelsa State Chapter, Engr. Amalate Ann Jonathan Obuebite, described the competition as a significant milestone in promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics education among young people, particularly girls.

She said the event reaffirmed the association’s commitment to empowering girls through STEM education while commending all participating schools for their creativity, critical thinking and innovative ideas.

Obuebite also expressed appreciation to the Young Engineers Forum of Nigeria, Yenagoa Chapter, for the successful collaboration, as well as the volunteers, judges and sponsors whose support contributed to the success of the programme.

She reaffirmed APWEN’s commitment to encouraging young minds to embrace STEM innovation as a pathway to future career opportunities, expressing confidence that the future of STEM education in Bayelsa State remains bright.